Chapter 358
Chapter 358
Third Person’s POV
Victor narrowed his eyes, the golden flecks in his irises catching the dim light of the corridor. From where he stood, he could see into the half–open door of the private lounge. Inside, Lana was seated on a velvet sofa surrounded by laughter, glittering glasses, and a row of handsome young men pouring drinks.
Beside him, Velda spoke in a low, mocking voice. “Well, look at that. The room’s full of male models. Don’t tell me the one serving her wine is one of them. I never thought Miss Rook liked to spend her nights this way. Who knows what her private life really looks like p>
“Have you said enough?” Victor’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
Velda’s words died instantly on her tongue. The others standing near Victor fell silent too, their gazes dropping to the marble floor. Even in The Capital’s elite circles, no one dared to cross the Ashford heir when his tone carried that quiet, dangerous weight.
From inside, laughter swelled again. Lana sat still amid the noise, her gaze fixed on the man before her. Duke that was what he’d called himself. The name tugged something deep in her memory, stirring an image of another night, years ago — a streetlight, the scent of rain, and the man who had pulled her out of danger with bloodied hands.
If not for him, she wouldn’t be sitting here today.
And yet, of all places, of all circumstances, fate had chosen this moment for them to meet again – her dressed in silk and diamonds, him in the black uniform of a lounge escort.
Because she hadn’t accepted his drink, Duke’s hand trembled slightly, his expression turning awkward. Someone in the room chuckled.
“Oh, looks like our Lana doesn’t fancy him. Come on, sweetheart, don’t waste our time. If Miss Rook doesn’t like you, move along p>
Duke gave a tight smile and turned to leave. That movement jolted Lana out of her daze. She reached forward, took the glass from his hand, and lifted it to her lips. The liquid burned down her throat, sharp and sweet.
The room erupted in approving laughter.
She set the glass down, meaning to say something possessive dominance, sliced through the noise.
but a voice, cold and edged with
“Drinking without me, Lana? As your boyfriend, shouldn’t I at least be invited p>
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The entire room froze. Lana’s back stiffened. Slowly, she turned her head.
Victor stood in the doorway. His tall frame blocked the light from the hall, casting his shadow across the marble floor. The faint silver gleam of his cufflinks glinted like a predator’s fang. His
locked onto her. those sharp, commanding eyes
eyes
For a heartbeat, her breath caught.
What in the moon’s name was he doing here?
Especially with that storm brewing in his gaze.
“Wait–hold on,” one of the women gasped, recognition dawning. “Isn’t that Victor Ashford? The lawyer from the Ashford line p>
“Lana, you didn’t tell us your boyfriend was him! The Ashfords practically run The Capital’s legal division p>
“Seems Miss Rook knows how to pick them well,” another teased, laughter thin with envy.
Lana forced a laugh that sounded more brittle than she intended. Under Victor’s steady gaze, something inside her twisted uncomfortably. Why did she feel guilty? They weren’t even a real couple. It was a contract — nothing more.
She cleared her throat. “What brings you here p>
Victor’s gaze flicked to Duke, who still stood nearby, his posture tense. Then his attention returned to Lana. “Did you enjoy your drink p>
“Uh… not yet,” she said carefully, glancing at the half–finished glass on the table.
Without breaking eye contact, Victor picked up the glass. He raised it to his lips and drained it in a single motion. “Now it’s finished p>
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Before Lana could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet. “We’re leaving p>
She blinked, startled. “Wait–Victor, I’m still p>
Her protest vanished as he guided her
no, dragged her
out of the lounge,
Outside in the corridor, the group that had come with Victor earlier stood frozen. Velda’s lips curled in a scornful smile. “Wow. Didn’t expect you to be the type to hire male escorts behind his back, Lana. If I were Victor’s girlfriend, I’d never lower myself like that p>
Lana’s temper flared. She remembered this woman
the Beta’s daughter who had openly
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flirted with Victor at a previous gathering. Straightening her shoulders, Lana shot her a defiant look despite the firm hold on her arm.
“Too bad, Velda,” she said coolly. “You’re not his girlfriend. I am p>
Velda’s cheeks flushed crimson. “You-
Victor’s voice broke in, calm but commanding. “We’re leaving.” He didn’t spare Velda another glance. Turning, he led Lana down the hall, his hand wrapped securely around her wrist.
Velda stood seething as the elevator doors closed.
“Rare sight, seeing Victor lose his composure,” one of the men murmured once the couple disappeared from view.
“Tell me about it. I’ve worked with him for years the man’s always calm, controlled, never lets emotion show. Guess Miss Rook really gets under his skin p>
Velda bit down on her lip hard enough to taste blood. In her eyes, Victor had always been untouchable — disciplined, elegant, the kind of Alpha who could command an entire courtroom with a word. Seeing him act possessive, jealous even, for someone like Lana Rook a nouveau–riche socialite from the outer packs madę bile rise in her throat.
What does he see in her? she thought bitterly. She’s beneath him. I’d be better. I’d never humiliate him like that.
Back in the lounge, the wealthy women recovered from their shock and began whispering again.
“Did you see that? I can’t believe Lana managed to land Victor Ashford p>
“He’s practically royalty in The Capital’s circles and everyone thought he was uninterested in
women p>
“Guess she proved them wrong. If she’s really his girlfriend, she’s secured her future p>
“Lucky girl,” someone muttered.
At the far end of the table, Duke stared down at the empty glass Lana had left behind. Her lipstick marked the rim, faint but unmistakable. His jaw clenched as he turned the glass slowly
in his hand.
So it was her.
The girl from that night – the one he’d saved years ago when she was cornered and terrified, her scent laced with moonlit rain and blood. He remembered her trembling voice, her thank- you whispered between gasps of shock. He hadn’t expected to ever see her again, let alone like
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this laughing among wolves in silk gowns, claimed by a man whose aura could crush most Alphas in the room.
But as he set the glass down, a small, bittersweet smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Lana Rook had survived. She’d risen. And for now, that was enough.
Outside, the night over The Capital was sharp with winter wind. Victor’s grip on Lana’s wrist had loosened, but his expression was still unreadable. She wanted to speak
to tell him he was overreacting — but something in the tension of his shoulders silenced her.
The streetlamps caught the silver in his eyes, hinting at the beast within, the Alpha that the
courtroom never saw.
“Next time,” he said quietly, his voice low with restrained fury, “you tell me where you’re going before I have to find out like that p>
Lana looked up at him, defiant and unafraid. “And if I don’t p>
For a moment, the air between them felt electric something neither of them wanted to name.
charged with dominance, pride, and
Then Victor exhaled slowly, the edge softening in his eyes. “Then I’ll just have to remind you who you belong to p>
Lana’s pulse fluttered, half from anger, half from something else.
The night swallowed their silence, leaving only the echo of footsteps and the faint scent of wolves lingering in the cold city air.
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Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.